tell you. To _Lima_, my boy!
what do you think of that?"

"I think that your mother will be very pleased to see you."

"Fancy seeing her again, Jose, after all these weary months!"

"She will hardly know you," said he. "You have grown so tall and
strong and manly. You are the image of what your father was at your
age, Jack. Are all the troops to be moved up?"

"I think not. As far as I know, the colonel's only paying a flying
visit to the capital. Why are you laughing?"

"Because I'm rather doubtful of that. If Miller goes to Lima, it's a
proof there are hard knocks about. And high time too! According to
the talk, the war should have been done with long ago."

Next day the colonel made his arrangements, and on the following
morning he set out, leaving Major Videla in charge of the district.
Rather to my surprise, Jose formed one of the party, which consisted
only of us three.

Under some circumstances the journey would have been tedious; but
Colonel Miller was very agreeable, and told us many interesting stories
of his adventurous career. Thus the time passed pleasantly enough, and
on the evening of September 11, 1821, we arrived in the neighbourhood
of Lima.

The capital, as I have said, was in possession of the Patriots; but a
Royalist garrison still held Callao, and the Royalist general,
Canterac, with a small army, had just swooped down from the mountains
to help his friends. Our soldiers were chiefly stationed between the
two towns; but the citizens of Lima had armed themselves, and swaggered
about talking of the great deeds they were about to perform.

The colonel, aware of my anxiety, agreed that I should pay a visit to
my mother at once.

"I must see General San Martin," said he. "He may give me a post here,
and if so, I will send for you. But you have earned a few days' rest,
and I shall not omit to mention you favourably to the protector."

As soon as he had gone, Jose and I rode on quickly. My heart beat
fast, and my hands trembled so that I had to use both in holding the
reins.

"I suppose it is all right, Jose," I remarked as we drew near the
house. "I suppose there is nothing wrong?"

"No, no," replied he; "why should there be? You are nervous, my boy,
that's all. Cheer up; in a short time you will be in your mother's
arms."

At the outer gate I drew back, leaving Jose to accost the janitor, who
greeted him heartily. Then in silence we rode through the park to the
cour